Prosecutors allege Publication Research Opportunities Services, also known as PRO Services, ran a series of local newspaper advertisements soliciting job seekers during that time. Lewis, Ash and Tearney charged each client $95 for the promise of acquiring three job referrals for each client, prosecutors allege.

Ryan said at least 39 of the applicants failed to receive all three referrals, and many of them received none. In addition, PRO Services failed to receive authorization from businesses it listed as prospective employers, Ryan said.

A total of 150 PRO Services clients filed complaints during the investigation undertaken by the Du Page County state`s attorney`s office and Lombard police, Ryan said, adding that the investigation is continuing ``and the possibility of additional charges exists.``

If convicted of theft by deception, the three business operators could serve a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and be fined a maximum of $10,000, Ryan said. He added that Assistant State`s Atty. Philip G. Montgomery, who will be prosecuting the case, ``will aggressively pursue`` restitution for clients allegedly bilked by PRO.

``If true, these allegations are particularly egregious, considering we are in tough economic times,`` Ryan said. ``If true, these allegations indicate people who trusted the defendants were exploited during these tough times.``

Authorities embarked on their investigation after Lombard Patrol Officer Larry Zaremba received five complaints about the service from clients in October, Ryan said. Zaremba contacted the state`s attorney`s office, which also had received several complaints, Ryan said.

Authorities arrested Lewis, Ash and Yearney on Oct. 26 and charged them with misdemeanor violations of the Consumer Fraud Act, Ryan said.

Investigators searched PRO Services and found files that led them to survey more than 100 clients about the service. That investigation brought additional and more serious charges, he added.